Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Norway took a significant step towards qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998 with an emphatic win against Israel.

Israel goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, twice denied Manchester City forward Haaland from the penalty spot in the opening five minutes, saving initially and then stopping again when a retake was ordered for encroachment.

But the hosts did not have to wait long to take the lead, as Israeli midfielder, Anan Khalaili, headed into his own net from an Alexander Sorloth cross.

Haaland, Norway's record scorer, doubled his side's advantage with a neat right-footed finish.

It was the 10th game in a row for club and country in which Haaland has scored, and he has found the net in all but one of his 12 appearances for City and Norway this season.

Norway scored a comedic third one minute later when Peretz's clearance rebounded into his own net off defender Idan Nachmias.

Haaland scored his second with a towering header, before completing his treble by nodding in Antonio Nusa's cross at the back post.

The 25-year-old has now scored 51 goals in 46 appearances for his country, and is the quickest player in history to score 50 or more goals for his nation, beating Harry Kane's record of bringing up a half-century in 71 matches for England.

Haaland's hat-trick - his sixth for Norway - means he is four behind the record jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Victory leaves Norway in a commanding position in Group I as they look to qualify for their first international tournament since 2000 and their first World Cup since 1998.

They have a nine-point lead over second-placed Italy, although Gennaro Gattuso's side have two matches in hand.

Group winners qualify automatically for the 2026 finals, which take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Norway continues its campaign at home against Estonia on 13 November, before its final group match against Italy three days later.

Manchester City striker Haaland is the leading scorer in European qualifying with 12 goals so far.

He also became the fastest player in men's international football to reach 50 goals for his country and now boasts 51 goals for Norway in just 46 games.

England captain Harry Kane held the previous record, bringing up his half-century in 71 appearances.

The political backdrop to a key qualifier

A pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in Oslo before kick-off, with protestors then marching to the Ullevaal stadium.

Many want to see Israel banned from international football ? something the head of the Norwegian football association, Lise Klaveness, recently called for. Such calls gained momentum once a United Nations commission of inquiry said last month that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza ? a claim Israel rejected.

The Norwegian FA had also said it would donate proceeds from ticket sales for the game to aid group Doctors Without Borders.

Organizers decided to go ahead with the pre-match protest despite Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of a US-brokered peace deal for Gaza, which resulted in a ceasefire coming into effect on Friday.

Security at the stadium was increased and capacity was reduced. Nevertheless, a giant Palestinian flag was unfurled by fans inside the ground at kick-off ? something Uefa may take a dim view of, given its opposition to politically motivated symbols being displayed inside stadiums. (BBC)

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